In December 2011, President Obama released the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security and signed an Executive Order directing the Plan’s implementation. In accordance with the Executive Order, USAID has developed this Implementation Plan to identify actions the Agency will take in support of the objectives of the National Action Plan (NAP), as well as to highlight our current work to advance this agenda around the globe.

Ensuring the meaningful participation and protection of women and girls in countries affected by crisis and conflict is critical to building lasting peace and to achieving long­-term development objectives. In these, as in other areas, USAID invests in gender equality and women’s empowerment to promote the rights and well­being of women and girls, as well as to foster peaceful and productive communities that are equipped to cope with adversity, recover from crises, and pursue development progress.